Walmart 2012 CSR Report: Focus on Waste, Renewables, Local Food

: Walmart has set an ambitious long term goal of running its U.S. stores and distribution centers on 100 percent renewable energy. The goal is not only ambitious because of its size, but because of cost. To install solar panels on all of its properties now would spike prices so high that Walmart would have to raise prices that would in turn dent the company’s profits. So Walmart has moved incrementally, and just last week hit a milestone with its 100th solar installation in Colorado . Walmart stores in Canada and China completed their first solar installation as well. So far the clean energy Walmart uses to power its stores, which is about 22 percent of the company’s electricity needs, is enough to fuel 78,000 American homes annually. While the company has a long way to go to hit that goal in eight years, a dose of perspective is needed. Walmart is the second largest buyer...